Well Design and Successful Field Installation of Openhole Sand Control Completions with Acid Stimulation in a Highly Deviated Well in Vietnam

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung Vu ◽  
Son Tran ◽  
Trang Nguyen ◽  
Bharathwaj Kannan ◽  
Khoa Tran ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Application of openhole sand control technology is becoming mandatory in the field, particularly with the given uncertainty in geomechanics, challenges to wellbore integrity while drilling, and sand production during the life of the well. The completion equipment readiness and success of the installation can be challenging in the event of extending the horizontal section to accommodate geological heterogeneity and maximizing well productivity. This paper discusses operational excellence recorded in Well A, in the Thang Long Field, offshore Vietnam, from well design perspectives ensuring maximum reservoir contact to outcome of well completion. The well was targeted in the Oligocene reservoir, a thin oil rim with large gas cap overlay, and required drilling and completion for 1126 m horizontal length of 8 1/2-in. open hole. The completion design included multiple swellable packers for isolation of unwanted zones, 6 5/8-in. basepipe sand screens for the production zones, and a fluid loss control device to help prevent undesirable losses. Several torque and drag simulations were performed to help predict potential threats that could be encountered during completion string deployment or during space out of the inner wash pipe string. One apparent challenge of this completion design was to deploy the lower completion string to total depth (TD) per stringent reservoir requirements, resulting in an approximate 1126 m length of the string in the horizontal section. Another task was to facilitate manipulating 1130 m of wash pipe inside the completion string to locate the seal assemblies accurately at the corresponding seal bore extension positions for effective acidizing treatment. Although these were long sections of completion string and wash pipe, the quality of acidizing stimulation to effectively remove mud cake should not be compromised to ensure positive production rates. During operations, the completion string was run to target depth without any issue, and the wash pipe was spaced out and manipulated correctly. These operations subsequently led to a successful acidizing treatment and the proper closure of the flapper type fluid loss device. The completion design and operation were concluded successfully, significantly contributing to field production performance to date. The novelty of the completion design and installation is the ability to deploy an 1126-m lower completion in long, highly deviated and horizontal openhole section coupled with acid stimulation in reasonable time and as per plan.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Schnitzler ◽  
Luciano Ferreira Gonçalez ◽  
Roger Savoldi Roman ◽  
Marcello Marques ◽  
Fábio Rosas Gutterres ◽  
...  

Abstract This paper describes the challenges faced on the deployment of intelligent well completion (IWC) systems in some of the wells built in Buzios field, mostly related to heavy fluid losses that occurred during the well construction. It also presents the solutions used to overcome them. This kind of event affects not only drilling and casing cementing operations, but may also prevent a safe and efficient installation of the completion system as initially designed. The IWC design typically used in Brazilian pre-salt areas comprises cased hole wells. Perforation operations must be performed before installing the integral completion system, as it does not include a separation between upper and lower completion. Therefore, the reservoir remains communicated to the wellbore during the whole completion installation process, frequently requiring prior fluid loss control as to allow safe deployment. Rock characteristics found in this field make it difficult to effectively control losses in some of the wells, requiring the use of different well construction practices that led to the development of some new well designs. The well engineering team developed a new well concept, where a separated lower completion system is installed in open hole, delivering temporary reservoir isolation. This new well architecture not only delivers reduced drilling and completion duration and costs, but also provides the IWC features in wells with major fluid losses. This is possible by the use of multiple managed pressure drilling (MPD) techniques when required, which were considered since the initial design phase. Safe and effective construction of some wells in pre-salt fields was considered not feasible before the adoption of MPD solutions, both for drilling and completions. Other important aspects considered on the new well design are the large thickness and high productivity of Buzios field reservoirs, as well as the need of some flexibility to deal with uncertainties. Finally, the new completion project was also designed to improve performance and safety on future challenging heavy workover interventions. The well construction area has gradually obtained improved performance in Buzios field with the adoption of the new practices and well design presented in this paper. The new solutions developed for Buzios field have set a new drilling and completion philosophy for pre-salt wells, setting the grounds for future projects. The improved performance is essential to keep these deepwater projects competitive, especially in challenging oil price scenarios. One of the groundbreaking solutions used is the possibility of installing the lower completion using managed pressure drilling techniques.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Alonso Fernandes ◽  
Eduardo Schnitzler ◽  
Fabio Fabri ◽  
Leandro Grabarski ◽  
Marcos Vinicius Barreto Malfitani ◽  
...  

Abstract This is a case study of a presalt well that required the use of 3 different MPD techniques to achieve its goals. The well was temporary abandoned when conventional techniques failed to reach the final depth. Total fluid losses in the reservoir section required changing the well design and its completion architecture. The new open hole intelligent completion design had to be used to deliver the selective completion in this challenging scenario. From the hundreds of wells drilled in the Santos basin presalt, there are some wells with tight or no operational drilling window. In order to drill these wells different MPD techniques are used. In most cases, the use of Surface Backpressure (SBP) technique is suitable for drilling the wells to its final depth. For the more complex cases, when higher fluid loss rates occur, the use of SBP and Pressurized Mud Cap Drilling (PMCD) enables the achievement of the drilling and completion objectives. After the temporary abandonment of this specific well in 2018, the uncertainty of the pore pressure could not ensure that the SBP and PMCD techniques would be applicable when reentering the well. To avoid difficult loss control operations, the completion team changed the intelligent completion design to include a separated lower completion, enabling its installation with the MPD system. Besides the previously used MPD techniques, the integrated final project considered an additional technique, Floating Mud Cap Drilling (FMCD), as one of the possible contingencies for the drilling and completion phases. Well reentry and drilling of the remaining reservoir section included the use all the previously mentioned MPD techniques (SBP, PMCD and FMCD). The lower completion deployment utilized the FMCD technique to isolate the formation quickly and efficiently, without damaging the reservoir. The planning and execution of the well faced additional difficulties due to the worldwide pandemic and personnel restrictions. The success from the operation was complete with no safety related events and within the planned budget. At the end, the execution team delivered a highly productive well with an intelligent completion system fully functional, through an integrated and comprehensive approach. MPD use on deepwater wells is relatively new. Different operators used several approaches and MPD techniques to ensure safety and success during wells constructions over the last decade. This paper demonstrates the evolution of MPD techniques usage on deepwater wells.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mykhailo Pytko ◽  
Pavlo Kuchkovskyi ◽  
Ibrahim Abdellaitif ◽  
Ernesto Franco Delgado ◽  
Andriy Vyslobitsky ◽  
...  

Abstract This paper describes three coiled tubing (CT) applications in depleted reservoir wells, where full circulation and precise fluid placement were achievable only by using a novel solids-free loss-control system, such as abrasive perforating applications. It also describes the preparation work, such as laboratory results and mixing procedure performed to ensure successful implementation. The analysis of Ukrainian reservoir conditions by local and global engineering teams showed that in a highly depleted well, abrasive jetting through CT was the best option to efficiently perforate the wellbore. However, this approach could lead to later impairment of the gas production if the abrasive material (sand) could not be entirely recovered. Such a risk was even higher as wells were depleted and significant losses to the formation occurred. The use of solids-free fluid-loss material that was easy to mix, pump, and remove after the operation, was, therefore, critical to the success of that approach. In Ukraine, most of the brownfields have a reservoir pressure that varies between 50% and 20% of the original reservoir pressure. This is a challenge for CT operations in general and especially for abrasive jetting, which requires full circulation to remove solids. It also complicates intervention when precise fluid placement control is required, such as spotting cement to avoid its being lost into the formation. The perforation solids-free loss-control system is a highly crosslinked Hydroxy-Ethyl Cellulose (HEC) system designed for use after perforating when high-loss situations require a low-viscosity, nondamaging, bridging agent as is normally required in sand control applications. It is supplied as gel particles that are readily dispersed in most completion brines. The particles form a low-permeability filter cake that is pliable, conforms to the formation surface, and limits fluid loss. The system produces low friction pressures, which enable its placement using CT. Introduction of that system in Ukraine allowed the full circulation of sand or cuttings to surface without inducing significant damage to the formation for first time; it was also used for balanced cement plug placements. This project was the first application of the solids-free loss-control system in combination with CT operations. It previously was used only for loss control material during the well completion phase in sand formations with the use of drilling rigs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayode Adegbulugbe ◽  
Akunna Ambakederemo ◽  
Chidi Elendu

Abstract An oil producing swamp field, BX, is located in the coastal region of the western Niger Delta with an average water depth of 15 – 20 ft. The wells in the most recent development drilling campaign were designed as horizontal wells with critical well objective of meeting the target oil production rates with sand control. In order to achieve these goals, the sand control methodology deployed is the Open Hole Gravel Pack (OHGP) pumped through Concentric Annular Pack Screen (CAPS) system. This completion methodology has similar comparisons to the AX field completions where 19 completions were successfully installed between 2016 and 2018. The lessons learnt from the AX campaign were implemented on the BX campaign and this contributed to the campaign's near-flawless completion execution evidenced by the world class operational excellence, very low Non-Productive Times (NPTs) best-in-class production performances with no sand production However, the following opportunities were identified and implemented during the BX campaign focused on either increasing operational efficiency or preventing post-completion productivity impairment:Elimination of slickline required for tubing test operations by incorporating a "RH" catcher sub into the completion designPerforming required analysis and implementing procedural change to ensure that the change from WBM to NAF does not compromise completion performance due to the presence of reactive shales intervals encountered in the lateralDeveloping and implementing an enhanced fluid loss protocol to address the fluid loss event in one of the BX well that prevented the execution of OHGP pumping operation in the well. The implementation of these opportunities contributed significantly to the continued consistent delivery of superior completions performance in the BX field. This paper aims to provide a background to these opportunities and highlights the steps and processes that were applied to ensure their flawless implementation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
An Jiang ◽  
Yunpeng Li ◽  
Xing Liu ◽  
Fengli Zhang ◽  
Tianhui Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives/Scope Controlling the excessive water production from the high water cut gravel packing horizontal well is a challenge. The approach which uses regular packers or packers with ICD screens to control the unwanted water does not function well. This is mainly because of the length limitation of packers which will make the axial flow resistance insufficient. Methods, Procedures, Process In this paper, a successful case that unwanted water is shutoff by using continuous pack-off particles with ICD screens (CPI) in the whole horizontal section in an offshore oilfield of Bohai bay is presented. The reservoir of this case is the bottom-water high viscosity reservoir. The process is to run 2 3/8" ICD screen string into the 4" screen string originally in place, then to pump the pack-off particles into the annulus between the two screens, and finally form the 360m tightly compacted continuous pack-off particle ring. Results, Observations, Conclusions The methodology behind the process is that the 2-3/8" ICD screens limit the flow rate into the pipes as well as the continuous pack-off particle ring together with the gravel ring outside the original 4" screens to prevent the water channeling into the oil zone along the horizontal section. This is the first time this process is applied in a high water cut gravel packed horizontal well. After the treatment, the water rate decreased from 6856BPD to 836.6BPD, the oil rate increased from 44BPD to 276.8BPD. In addition, the duration of this performance continued a half year until March 21, 2020. Novel/Additive Information The key of this technology is to control the unwanted water by using the continuous pack-off particles instead of the parkers, which will bring 5 advantages, a) higher efficiency in utilizing the production interval; b) no need to find the water source and then fix it; c) the better ability to limit the axial flow; d) effective to multi-WBT (water break though) points and potential WBT points; e) more flexible for further workover. The technology of this successful water preventing case can be reference to other similar high water cut gravel packed wells. Also, it has been proved that the well completion approach of using CPI can have good water shutoff and oil incremental result. Considering the experiences of historical applications, CPI which features good sand control, water shutoff and anti-clogging is a big progress compared to the current completion technologies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngbin Shan ◽  
Hongjun Lu ◽  
Qingbo Jiang ◽  
Zhijun Li ◽  
Jianpeng Xue ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of the paper is to introduce a new technology which secures long horizontal casing deployment by a reliable casing flotation technology. It is common nowadays to drill a slim hole and extends to long horizontal extension to pay zones in condensate and shale oil and gas reservoir. To assure a successful casing deployment into the horizontal section, a flotation collar is often installed to float the casing in horizontal to mitigate the friction and Torque & Drag. However, slim casing may encounter difficulty in circulation and subsequent cementing even after the collar is broken. A new proprietary technique proposed in this paper solved above contingencies and secured 100% success in casing deployment, This technique secures smoothly circulation and cementing by flotating air in horizontal casing interval and purging air out of hole to overcome Spring Effect before circulation and cementing. Often, the flotation collar is made of proprietary material that can break or explodes under certain hydraulic pressure. After breaking, the whole collar becomes a portion of casing with exact the same ID of casing or a very small difference that does not have any negative effect to subsequent Plug & Perf, frac, tools running through and fluid movement. For long horizontal length of small open hole and casing sizes, casing deployment may be difficult if the Torque & Drag and friction through the low sides can not be mitigated. This paper proposes a new technique to fill air full of horizontal interval along inside the casing and ensure a sufficient of air purging to overcome Spring Effect before circulation and cementing. So far twelve (12) wells have been successfully completed including Asian longest horizontal gas well with 7,388.18m measured depth and 4,118.18m horizontal length. All jobs are 100% successful and there is no difficulty in mud circulation and cementing. Even for the longest 4,118.18m horizontal length casing deployment, the hook weight on surface when casing reached the total depth still remained 20 MT. Before this technique was applied, operators were unable to deploy 4 ½" casing through a 6" bit hole beyond 1500m horizontal length. Most often the hook weight at surface were zero when casing extended to almost 1500m in horizontal length. This new technique brings a great value to operators to complete longer horizontal well to yield more production with less investment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timur Solovyev ◽  
Nikolay Mikhaylov

Abstract The complex interbedded heterogeneous reservoirs of the Severo-Komsomolskoye field are developed by horizontal wells in which, as part of the pilot project's scope, autonomous inflow control devices (AICD) are installed to prevent early coning and gas breakthroughs in long horizontal sections and reduce sand production, which is a problem aggravated by an extremely low mechanical strength of the terrigenous deposits occurring in the Pokur formation of the Cenomanian stage in this area. The zones produced through AICDs are separated by swell packers. The issue of AICD effectiveness is discussed in the publications by Solovyev (2019), Shestov (2015), Byakov (2019) and some others. One of the methods used for monitoring horizontal sections with AICDs is production logging (PLT). However, due to the complexity of logging objectives, the use of conventional logging techniques makes the PLT unfeasible, considering the costs of preparing and carrying out the downhole operations. This paper provides some case studies of the Through-Barrier Diagnostics application, including passive spectral acoustics (spectral acoustic logging) and thermohydrodynamic modelling for the purpose of effective estimation of reservoir flows behind the liner with AICDs installed and well integrity diagnostics. As a result of the performed diagnostics, the well completion strategy was updated and optimised according to the log interpretation results, and one well intervention involving a cement squeeze with a straddle-packer assembly was carried out.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fazeel Ahmad ◽  
Zohaib Channa ◽  
Fahad Al Hosni ◽  
Salman Farhan Nofal ◽  
Ziad Talat Libdi ◽  
...  

Abstract The paper discusses the pilot project in ADNOC Offshore to assess the Autonomous Inflow Control Device (AICD) technology as an effective solution for increasing oil production over the life of the field. High rate of water and gas production in horizontal wells is one of the key problems from the commencement of operation due to the high cost of produced water and gas treatment including several other factors. Early Gas breakthrough in wells can result in shut-in to conserve reservoir energy and to meet the set GOR guidelines. The pilot well was shut-in due to high GOR resulted from the gas breakthrough. A pilot project was implemented to evaluate the ability of autonomous inflow control technology to manage gas break through early in the life of the well spanned across horizontal wellbore. And also to balance the production influx profile across the entire lateral length and to compensate for the permeability variation and therefore the productivity of each zone. Each compartment in the pilot well was equipped with AICD Screens and Swell-able Packers across horizontal open hole wellbore to evaluate oil production and defer gas breakthrough. Some AICDs were equipped with treatment valve for the compartments that needed acid simulation to enhance the effectiveness of the zone. The selection factors for installing number of production valves in the pilot well per each AICD was based on reservoir and field data. Pre-modeling of the horizontal wellbore section with AICD was performed using commercial simulation software (NETool). After the first pilot was completed, a detailed technical analysis was conducted and based on the early production results from the pilot well showed that AICD completions effectively managed gas production by delaying the gas break through and restricting gas inflow from the reservoir with significant GOR reduction ±40% compared to baseline production performance data from the open hole without AICD thus increasing oil production. The pilot well performed positively to the AICD completion allowing to produce healthy oil and meeting the guidelines. The early production results are in line with NETool simulation modelling, thereby increasing assurance in the methods employed in designing the AICD completion for the well and candidate selection. This paper discusses the successful AICD completion installation and production operation in pilot well in ADNOC Offshore to manage GOR and produced the well with healthy oil under the set guidelines. This will enable to re-activate wells shut-in due to GOR constraint to help meeting the sustainable field production target.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hatta M. Yusof ◽  
M. Zarkashi Sulaiman ◽  
Rahimah A. Halim ◽  
Nurfaridah Ahmad Fauzi ◽  
Ahgheelan Sella Thurai ◽  
...  

Abstract This paper discusses the Case study of Field A in offshore Sarawak, Malaysia which focus on re-thinking development based on statistical analysis of the fields. Conventionally, well design is driven by subsurface requirement by targeting the high-reserve sand and well is designed to meet subsurface objectives. However, the conventional way may not be efficient to develop matured field environment due to the high CAPEX and the inconsistencies among well design especially in current volatile oil price period. The objective of this fit-for-purpose approach which is called "Cone Concept Statistical Approach" is to steer away from the conventional way of targeting only sweet spots whilst leaving the remaining potential resources undeveloped. Based on the statistical analysis and subsurface fields pattern, the "Cone Concept Statistical Approach" in which standardizing well design and trajectories was developed to extract the whole fields’ reserve at maximum. Well design boundaries were introduced to ensure this approach can be replicated throughout the field. Not only this study covers drilling perspective, completion perspective was also taken into consideration by exploring a cheaper and fit for purpose sand control method, considering it is a matured field with relatively short remaining field life. The Well Cost Catalogue for this field-specific approach was also developed which contains different types of design and completion, in order to holistically evaluate sand control method and identify the best option for the project moving forward. This "Cone Concept Statistical Approach" aims to enable operator to drill simple wells within the same allocated budget in which poses low-to-no risk in the design and execution phase. This promotes a learning curve to improve operation & HSE, and ultimately gets positive project economics. Since this simple approach can be implemented early on even during the pre-FEL stage, the FDP team & host authority can come together to jointly discuss the targets/platform ranking and segregate them into various phases. Hence, the number of platforms or drilling centers, and its location also can be optimized early on with this concept, and again, translating into further reduction in overall project cost. This paper will help other operators and host authority to understand better on how a specific development concept on statistical approach can result and turn the matured-challenging fields into more economically attractive projects – low overall development cost and maximizing the recovery.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadiah Kamaruddin ◽  
Nurfuzaini A Karim ◽  
M Ariff Naufal Hasmin ◽  
Sunanda Magna Bela ◽  
Latief Riyanto ◽  
...  

Abstract Field A is a mature hydrocarbon-producing field located in eastern Malaysia that began producing in 1968. Comprised of multistacked reservoirs at heights ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 ft, they are predominantly unconsolidated, requiring sand exclusion from the start. Most wells in this field were completed using internal gravel packing (IGP) of the main reservoir, and particularly in shallower reservoirs. With these shallower reservoirs continuously targeted as good potential candidates, identifying a sustainable sand control solution is essential. Conventional sand control methods, namely IGP, are normally a primary choice for completion; however, this method can be costly, which requires justification during challenging economic times. To combat these challenges, a sand consolidation system using resin was selected as a primary completion method, opposed to a conventional IGP system. Chemical sand consolidation treatments provide in situ sand influx control by treating the incompetent formation around the wellbore itself. The initial plan was to perform sand consolidation followed by a screenless fracturing treatment; however, upon drilling the targeted zone and observing its proximity to a water zone, fracturing was stopped. With three of eight zones in this well requiring sand control, a pinpoint solution was delivered in stages by means of a pump through with a packer system [retrievable test treat squeeze (RTTS)] at the highest possible accuracy, thus ensuring treatment placement efficiency. The zones were also distanced from one another, requiring zonal isolation (i.e., mechanical isolation, such as bridge plugs, was not an option) as treatments were deployed. While there was a major challenge in terms of mobilization planning to complete this well during the peak of a movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia, optimal operations lead to a long-term sand control solution. Well unloading and test results upon well completion provided excellent results, highlighting good production rates with zero sand production. The groundwork processes of candidate identification down to the execution of sand consolidation and temporary isolation between zones are discussed. Technology is compared in terms of resin fluid system types. Laboratory testing on the core samples illustrates how the chemical consolidation process physically manifests. This is used to substantiate the field designs, execution plan, initial results, follow-up, lessons learned, and best practices used to maximize the life of a sand-free producer well. This success story illustrates potential opportunity in using sand consolidation as a primary method in the future.


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